Thermally insulated article of clothing

ABSTRACT

An article of clothing having at least one thermal insulating element in at least one predetermined zone, wherein the insulating element is at least partially incompressible.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No.02.13125, filed Oct. 15, 2003, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference thereto in its entirety and the priority ofwhich is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an article of clothing, such asa garment, glove, shoe, etc., which provides thermal insulation.

[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0005] Garments or articles of clothing that are adapted to providethermal insulation, particularly in cold weather, have one or severallayers of insulating material, such as wadding, polar fur, down, etc.

[0006] Inflatable insulating materials have also been developed with theidea that inflating the material provides an increased the layer of airbetween the user and the outer air and, therefore, provides for anincrease in the amount of thermal insulation.

[0007] Such constructions are described, for example, in documents DE198 35 081, DE 297 23 798, U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,170, U.S. Pat. No.6,055,670, and WO 01/84989, the latter also published as US2003/0131967.

[0008] It is also known to have multi-layer garment systems, namely acoat or pants forming a first outer envelope, generally made of a lightmaterial acting as a windbreaker, and/or a waterproof envelope that canbe breathable, and a second envelope, generally made of a polar-typematerial, wool, etc., adapted to be arranged underneath the outerenvelope.

[0009] In any case, the underlying principle is that air is the idealthermal insulation and, consequently, the insulating material ispreferably selected for its inflatability, i.e., its aptitude to confinea high volume of air for a given weight.

[0010] One of the materials considered to be the most insulating isdown, which is used to make garments allowing resistance to very lowtemperatures.

[0011] Because the insulating material is positioned about the user'sentire body, according to a uniform density, the user's movements can besubstantially hindered depending on the thickness of the insulatingmaterial.

[0012] The insulation of a garment is determined empirically and isgenerally expressed in Clo, Clo being defined by the relation 1Clo=0.155 m2 K/W. The value of 1 Clo corresponds approximately to theinsulating power of a mid-season light garment.

[0013] A good insulating sport garment must therefore reconcile a goodthermal insulation and adaptability to movement. One could be tempted todecrease the insulating layer because, when moving, the athletehimself/herself produces thermal energy and therefore does not need asmuch insulation as when he/she is stopped.

[0014] The problem is that the user can alternate moving phases withstatic phases. This is particularly true in sports, such as alpineskiing, in which the skier must be protected against the cold, not onlyduring skiing but also during rest on chair lifts or ski lifts.

[0015] Various series of tests conducted by the inventors have indeedproven that the waiting time in alpine skiing was a primary cause forgetting cold.

[0016] Other causes for getting cold at the lower limbs, such as theseated position or high speed descent, have also been proven.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An object of the present invention is to overcome theaforementioned drawbacks and to propose an article of clothing thatprovides an excellent thermal insulation, or at least a thermalinsulation appropriate to the outside temperature, while remaining lightand easy to wear and, in particular, which does not hinder movementthrough an excessive thickness.

[0018] This object is obtained in the article of clothing according tothe invention which has an insulating material in at least onepredetermined zone, wherein the insulating element is at least partiallyincompressible under the effect of forces exerted during its use.

[0019] Indeed, after numerous tests, the inventors recognized thatsubstantial losses of heat were in fact due to an excessive compressionof the insulating material due precisely to the weight of the insulatingmaterial in the horizontal or semi-horizontal parts of the body, such asthe shoulders or the chest, i.e., under the effect of the forces ofgravity.

[0020] Therefore, according to the invention, in these predeterminedzones (such as the areas of the shoulders and/or chest) a thermalinsulating element is arranged that is at least partially incompressibleand, in any case, has a negligible compressibility for the loads thatare applied thereto, always to guarantee thereby the desired thicknessof air or insulation over the entire body or over a part of the bodyunder consideration, and to generally obtain a higher thermalinsulation, without hindering the user's freedom of movement.

[0021] In zones such as the shoulders, the chest, etc., the load appliedto the insulating material is in fact relatively low (on the order ofseveral kilos over the entire surface), and the materials used cantherefore be relatively flexible, conserving at least a residualthickness under a load on the order of 2 millimeters (mm) depending onthe forces and the degree of insulation desired.

[0022] The insulating element that is at least partially incompressiblecan also be arranged in the areas of the buttocks, the knees, etc.,namely zones in which the user compresses the insulating element due tohis/her weight or the force exerted (for example, by sitting or bykneeling), the minimal residual thickness of the insulating element isdetermined depending on the insulation quality and the mobility desired.

[0023] In these cases of a load, the insulating element is compressed bythe user's weight or by the force that he/she exerts on a solid object(seated position on a lift, crouching position, etc.), and the loadapplied is therefore relatively substantial (up to several tens ofkilograms over the surface). The insulating material must therefore becomparatively more resistant to compression, by conserving a residualthickness under a load on the order of 2 mm minimum, depending on theforces and the degree of insulation desired.

[0024] For a glove, the load is created by the pressure of the user'shand on the pole, for example, or on a solid object (snow, lift, shovelhandle, etc.). The load is therefore relatively substantial (up to abouttwenty kilos), but has substantial requirements for mobility. Theminimal residual thickness under a load can therefore be lower, however,without being less than 1 mm, depending on the forces and the degree ofinsulation desired. The insulating element that is at least partiallyincompressible can be arranged instead of or in addition to the regularinsulating layer on the palm of the hand.

[0025] The insulating element can be constituted by an inflatable pocketof air, foam, for example, polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, EVAfoam, neoprene, or even an agglomeration of polymer beads, for example,polystyrene having a minimal thickness under a load corresponding to theaforementioned needs.

[0026] The insulating element that is at least partially incompressiblecan also be arranged in zones of the garment in which are exertedcompression forces related to the speed of displacement and, forexample, on the front surface of a skier's thighs, or on the frontsurface of the torso and/or on the abdomen of a bicyclist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will be better understood and other characteristicsthereof will be shown by means of the following description given withreference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0028]FIG. 1 is a front view of an insulating undergarment according tothe invention, adapted in particular to skiing;

[0029]FIG. 2 is a back view of the undergarment of FIG. 1;

[0030]FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically show the principle of the invention;

[0031]FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an insulating garmentaccording to a second embodiment;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 5, of an insulating garmentaccording to a third embodiment;

[0034]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of FIG.7;

[0035]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of an insulating glove liner according tothe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The undergarment according to the invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and2, is constituted of a long-sleeved undershirt 1 adapted to completelycover the chest and the arms, and of a long underpants 2 covering thehips and legs.

[0037] The undershirt 1 and the underpants 2 can be made of a fineinsulating material or simply of cotton, or of a material havingpredetermined qualities of breathability and/or moisture evacuation,because these elements merely constitute an undergarment adapted tointegrate the insulating system according to the invention.

[0038] In this case, the undershirt 1 and the underpants 2 have, inpredetermined zones, insulating elements 10, 20 and 30, respectively.

[0039] Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each insulating element 10, 20,30 substantially has the shape of a fishbone so as to guaranteeflexibility and minimum weight.

[0040] Each element 10, 20, 30 is therefore includes a sort of centralrib 11, 21, 31, respectively, having a rectilinear (rib/ridge 21) orcurvilinear (ribs 11, 31) form, and lateral ribs 12, 22, 32,respectively, extending “radially” from both sides of the central rib11, 21, 31, respectively.

[0041] The insulating element 10 is arranged in an area adapted to covereach of the shoulders, the insulating element 20 is arranged in an areaadapted to cover the front of the thighs, and the insulating element 30is arranged in an area adapted to cover the buttocks.

[0042] In the case of FIGS. 1-4, each element 10, 20 includes aninsulating material 40, such as polyurethane foam. In this case, thefoam 40 has a thickness e1 on the order of 5 mm at rest, and a thicknesse2 on the order of 4.7 mm under a load F.

[0043] This means that in the case of a load, due here to the weight ofthe garment on the wearer's shoulders, the foam 40 remains at leastpartially incompressible and conserves a minimal thickness e2 of 4.7 mm,for a local insulating value of approximately 0.7 Clo, the overallinsulating value of the garment being on the order of 1.7 Clo.

[0044] Comparative measurements between a garment provided at theshoulders with a substantially incompressible insulating element and agarment made only of wadding of the known type E, marketed asPRIMALOFT®, show a local insulation gain of 52% (0.48-0.73 Clo), and anoverall insulation gain of more than 13%. The insulation and thermalcomfort of the garment are therefore improved very substantially withouthaving a negative effect on the freedom of movement due to localizationin well defined zones of the garment.

[0045] The insulating material 40 can include any thermal insulatingmaterial that is at least partially incompressible and made, inparticular, of closed cell polymer foam (for example, as known under thetrademark NEOPRENE®) or opened cell, an agglomeration of polymer beads,expanded polymer, textile wadding, non-woven, inflatable insert,“hollow” inserts, which can be a material that resists compression,enveloped with an airtight material and forming a pocket in which onecreates a high vacuum, etc. It can include, in particular, atri-dimensional knitted fabric. It can also have a mix of the differentmaterials mentioned hereinabove.

[0046] In the case of FIGS. 1-4, the element 30 includes an insulatingmaterial, such as polyethylene foam. In this case, the foam has athickness at rest on the order of 4 mm, and a thickness under a load onthe order of 2.5 mm.

[0047] This means that in the case of a load, due here to the user'sweight when he/she sits down, the foam conserves a minimal thickness of2.5 mm for a local insulation of approximately 0.4 Clo, which ismarkedly greater than what has been obtained prior to the invention.

[0048] As indicated previously, the insulating element 10 has thefunction of maintaining a minimum insulating thickness at the shouldersdespite the weight of the insulating element itself, or the weight ofthe garments arranged on top.

[0049] The function of the insulating element 30 is to guarantee aminimal insulating thickness under the effect of the user's weight, andthis insulating element 30 will therefore have a minimal residualthickness on the order of 2 mm.

[0050] The insulating elements 20, provided on the front surface of thethighs, has the function of conserving the desired minimal insulationunder the effect of the speed, for example, during a descent.

[0051] Other zones for the application of thermal insulating elementscan be provided depending on the user and the sport practiced and, forexample:

[0052] the zone of the bust for a woman;

[0053] the palm and/or back of the hand for a ski/bike/motorcycle glove;

[0054] the knees for a canoeist or a kayaker;

[0055] the front and/or back for a bicyclist or a motorcyclist;

[0056] the top of the cranium for a helmet;

[0057] the sole for a boot, etc.

[0058] Instead of being integrated on the outer surface of a garment, asin the case of the undergarments 1 and 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, theinsulating element can also be arranged on the inner surface of an outergarment or between an outer envelope and a garment lining. It can besewn, glued, welded, or simply set as a lining. It can also beremovable. Depending on the type of material used for the garment, theinsulating element can be simply constituted by one or severaladditional layers of the material constituting the garment.

[0059] In any case, the principle underlying the present invention is tofocus on the “weak spots” of the thermal insulation of a garment, theimprovement of local insulation of the garment at these weak spotsallowing for a significant improvement of the overall thermal insulationof the garment, or for an identical overall thermal insulation todecrease the volume/bulkiness of the garment.

[0060] FIGS. 5-8 show other embodiments of an insulating element, inthis case, an insulating element of the shoulders, but which could bearranged in any other area.

[0061] In the case of FIGS. 5 and 6, the insulating element 110 includesan inflatable pocket determining air pockets 111, separated one from theother by welding zones 112.

[0062] If the pocket 110 is fully inflated, the insulating element isalmost incompressible, or at least it has an insignificantcompressibility for the loads considered.

[0063] In the present case, the element 110 is arranged between twoouter 114 and inner 115 layers of the garment.

[0064] A valve 113 that is accessible from the outside allows itsinflation. A layer of insulating air is thus created between the twoenvelopes 114, 115, this layer having a residual thickness that variesaccording to the inflating of the element 110.

[0065] In the case of FIGS. 7 and 8, the insulating element 210 isconstituted of a textile layer 212, on which are arranged beads 211 madeof an incompressible material, such as PVC, an expanded polymer, etc.

[0066] The assembly is arranged between two outer 214 and inner 215layers, respectively. An additional layer 216 made of an insulatingmaterial, such as textile wadding, polar, etc., can be added.

[0067] As in the previous case, the assembly constitutes a layer ofincompressible air in the zone of the beads 211.

[0068]FIG. 9 shows an example of an application of the present inventionto the embodiment of the lining of an alpine ski glove.

[0069] In a ski glove, additional insulation is needed at least in thepalm of the hand to compensate for the crushing of the insulatingmaterial and therefore the loss of thermal insulation when the hand istightened on the pole.

[0070] In the case shown, the lining of the insulating glove 300 itselfis shown in the form of a glove made of an insulating material, such aswadding, i.e., a non-woven synthetic material, for example, marketed as“PRIMALOFT®,” “THERMOLITE®,” etc.

[0071] Insulating elements 310, 320, 330, and 340 made of asubstantially non-compressible insulating material are fixed, forexample, by sewing or gluing, on this lining 300. It is noted that theseinsulating elements could also be fixed on the outer envelope of theglove (either inside or outside thereof).

[0072] These insulating elements 310, 320, 330, 340 are placed on bothsides of the zones/lines that are folded the most.

[0073] Thus, the insulating elements 310 are arranged in the area of thefirst phalanges of each finger, the insulating elements 320 are arrangedat the second and third phalanges of each finger.

[0074] As for the thumb, a single insulating element 320 is provided forthe phalanges (first and second ones).

[0075] Furthermore, with regards to the palm of the hand itself, theinsulating elements 330 and 340 are provided at the metacarpus of thethumb and at the metacarpi of the other fingers, respectively.

[0076] It is noted that the insulating elements 320, 330, 340 stop atthe primary zones/lines of articulation so as not to hinder handflexibility.

[0077] In this case, the primary zones of articulation are referenced onthe drawing as follows:

[0078] Lines 350, 370 designate the lines of articulation between thefirst phalanges of the fingers or of the thumb and the metacarpi.

[0079] Line 360 designates the line of articulation between the firstphalanges and the second phalanges of each finger.

[0080] The insulating material constituting the elements 310-340 is, forexample, a closed cell PE foam having a thickness of approximately 3 mm.

[0081] It can also be constituted by a layer of polar of 100 or 200gram/mm², having a thickness of approximately 3.5 mm.

[0082] In the case where the insulating material is polar, the entirepalm of the hand can be made of this material since polar material israther flexible and will not hinder finger flexion.

[0083] Compared to a normal insulating material of the previouslyindicated wadding type, the use of PE foam or of polar material allowsfor a substantial gain of incompressibility and therefore of thermalinsulation.

[0084] The following table gives examples of thicknesses of aninsulating material under no pressure and under a pressure of 4.6 kPa,and clearly shows the gain in insulation obtained as compared to aconventional wadding filler through the use of substantiallynon-compressible materials, such as PE foam, or even polar material thatactually is much less compressible than the wadding material. Thickness;Thickness; Insulating Material pressure = 0 pressure = 4.6 kPa“PRIMALOFT ®” type wadding 16 mm 1.7 mm Polar 100 or 200 gram/mm² 3.5mm  2.4 mm Closed cell PE foam  3 mm 2.7 mm

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the particularembodiments which have been described herein as non-limiting examples,and encompasses all similar and equivalent embodiments.

[0086] The thicknesses of the thermal insulating element are dependenton the quality of the thermal insulation of the element, the overallthermal insulation desired, and the load exerted or provided on theinsulating element either due to gravity or due to the forces exertedduring use.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of clothing comprising: at least oneelement of thermal insulation in at least one predetermined zone of thearticle of clothing, said element of thermal insulation being at leastpartially incompressible under effect of forces exerted during use ofsaid article of clothing.
 2. An article of clothing according to claim1, wherein the insulating element is arranged in an area adapted to bepositioned at shoulder zone of a wearer.
 3. An article of clothingaccording to claims 1, wherein the insulating element is arranged in anarea adapted to be positioned at a wearer's buttocks.
 4. An article ofclothing according to claims 1, wherein the insulating element isarranged in an area adapted to be positioned on a palm of a hand of awearer.
 5. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein theinsulating element is arranged in an area adapted to be positioned at afront surface of a wearer's thighs.
 6. An article of clothing accordingto claim 1, wherein the insulating element is arranged in an areaadapted to be positioned at a wearer's chest.
 7. An article of clothingaccording to claim 1, wherein the insulating element comprises at leastone of PU foam, PE foam, EVA foam, and neoprene.
 8. An article ofclothing according to claim 1, wherein the insulating element comprisesan inflatable pocket of air.
 9. An article of clothing according toclaim 1, wherein the insulating element comprises an agglomeration ofpolymer beads.
 10. An article of clothing according to claim 1, whereinthe insulating element comprises polar.
 11. An article of clothingaccording to claim 1, wherein the article of clothing is anundergarment.
 12. An article of clothing according to claim 1, whereinthe article of clothing is an outer garment.
 13. An element for thermalinsulation for an article of clothing, said insulating elementcomprising: at least one element of thermal insulation adapted to bepositioned in at least one predetermined zone of the article ofclothing, said element of thermal insulation being at least partiallyincompressible under effect of forces exerted during use of said articleof clothing.
 14. An insulating element for an article of clothingaccording to claim 13, wherein said element is removable from thearticle of clothing.